I am interested in getting Guinea fowl but I have a couple of question?

[Teery]

I think what trefoil meant by "beginners bird" is that Guineas are typically a little more difficult to raise (they are skittish, flighty and wild from day 1), more difficult to contain (they do not respect fences AT ALL and will fly out of any pen that's not covered) and they aren't as cooperative and easy to coop train as chickens are (they prefer to roost in the trees, where you can't get to them but owls and other nocturnal predators can).

They also need to be worked with and supervised quite a bit once you first start letting them out of their coop/pen or you'll end up with a bunch of screaming out of control noisy pests and bullies that your neighbors will most likely end up complaining about... and since your neighbor already has poultry, the Guineas will be over there a lot (IF they survive crossing the street... for whatever reason Guineas are drawn to the road). Being roamers by nature they cover a lot of ground and require a lot more effort on your part to keep home (and alive) than chickens do.

To put it lightly (and no offence to you intended), most people that start off with Guineas as their first flock tend to bite off more than they can chew. We see it all the time on here...

Oh I understand and take no offense..I have pretty much decided to go with chickens as I have found options that will allow me to minimize some of my concerns. As far as neighbors, this area is rural and nestle between farms, ranches (chicken, horse, and cattle) , dairy farms scattered here and there. There are also city type subdivisions nearby but generally, my neighborhood is minimum 1 acre properties zoned for animals. It is not uncommon to see a ***'s, mules, sheep, and goats wondering the street (escapes) . The cattle ranch behind my place has peacocks (loud ones) and they visit all the neighbors..Directly across the street we have about 25 goats in the front yard...I can only think of 4 or 5 properties around here that don't have some sort of live stock, birds, or dogs that bark allot. I would not be to concerned about guinea fowl taking a trip down the block...The people are nice in this area and have a pretty good sense of humor..They are all help one another as well..That's why my wife and I bought here the end of last year. This area is somewhat unusual for So Cal.

 

[JLeigh]

Teery, if you can put an electric fence around your garden, go for it, whether you have chickens OR guineas. It will also keep out raccoons, possums, deer...Who wouldn't want that? Sounds like you're planning a great setup.

Guineas would fit into your neighborhood with no problem, so there's nothing stopping you down the road from getting some if you want. The training required with guineas is more difficult than with chickens. It takes about 6 - 8 (or more) weeks to acclimate them to home and not everyone has the setup or the time to invest in them. The fact that they're strong flyers and loud are also major differences. Almost everyone loves chickens, guineas are an "acquired taste". Someone getting into guineas without understanding that can be disappointed very early on.

I think because they aren't bright (you could also say they're dumb as rocks) they seem to have comical personalities. They amuse me to no end, and I prefer them to chickens, but I have both and they all get equal attention/care.

 

[Teery]

Teery, if you can put an electric fence around your garden, go for it, whether you have chickens OR guineas. It will also keep out raccoons, possums, deer...Who wouldn't want that? Sounds like you're planning a great setup.

Guineas would fit into your neighborhood with no problem, so there's nothing stopping you down the road from getting some if you want. The training required with guineas is more difficult than with chickens. It takes about 6 - 8 (or more) weeks to acclimate them to home and not everyone has the setup or the time to invest in them. The fact that they're strong flyers and loud are also major differences. Almost everyone loves chickens, guineas are an "acquired taste". Someone getting into guineas without understanding that can be disappointed very early on.

I think because they aren't bright (you could also say they're dumb as rocks) they seem to have comical personalities. They amuse me to no end, and I prefer them to chickens, but I have both and they all get equal attention/care.

As I stated, I have never owned chickens or fowl. I have been around chickens allot but I have not lived with them 24/7. I wasn't aware they could be destructive to gardens until I started to research. I am the type of person that likes to know what I am getting into.

Being fairly new to this area, ( which is a unique area of itself for so. cal. I saw a pick-up truck with a full grown cow in the back driving down the street yesterday and it didn't look like it was tied) I am not 100% sure of what predators are around. I know there are coyotes, but they are a rare occurrence unlike the area I used to live where it was not uncommon to see them almost daily.

You see road kill opossum so I know they are around. I haven't heard of, or seen raccoon but that doesn't mean they are not around. We have owls in the evening and red tail hawks during the day. The ravens seem to chase the hawks away. I have seen a small type falcon / hawk on occasions while working in the garden which I couldn't identify. I haven't seen it in a couple of months though.

One of my neighbors said there was a weasel around here about five or six years ago but it appears it vanished. I know there is ferrel cats and stray dogs. The dogs I am not to concerned about ( I have 5 foot chain link around the property) the cats I am. My dogs, if they are out will chase away the cats but they are not always out nor do I give the access to the back half of the property when we are not out there...they can bull doze the garden when they start playing....

One of my neighbors has chickens and doesn't have a coop or a pen...I asked if he has had any problems and he said no.

I am having a lady build my coop (well maybe). The coop is nice (sturdy and strong) and she can build it cheaper than I can but it is not meant for 24 hour confinement. I am rethinking this though as it is not a ideal design / shape if I want to attach a run to it. Further, she states that it can hold up to 18 hens but...I wouldn't do that even if I wanted 18 (which I don't). It seems to small for 18 (its only 4' x 8'). I want 4 to 6 hens so it would be fine.

The reasons I want chickens is to keep the bug population in check, compost, and a few eggs now and then would be nice. I won't consider them pets however, my wife will thus I need to protect them best I can. I have been married for 25 years and I don't need or want drama...LOL...I am not worried about the garden at this time..it is near finished from a production stand point...next spring will be a different story.

 

[JLeigh]

It's good that you're doing your homework prior to getting into something. Some people get into chickens, guineas - whatever - and regret it. Whatever you choose to do, you'll do it well. It's all in the preparation. One thing though - you'll end up caring for those birds, maybe not as "pets", but you'll probably caring about them and their welfare more than you think. LOL.